Southampton

Dan George
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton manager Russell Martin is hoping to "surprise some people" this season as he prepares to take charge of a top-flight side for the first time in his career.

The former Norwich defender led the Saints into the Premier League through the Championship play-offs back in May.

Now he is ready to test his football philosophy against the best sides in English football.

"It is illogical to me that we would get to the Premier League and, through fear or lack of belief, we would then do something else," Martin told BBC Sport.

"There are going to be games when we play against amazing opposition and maybe look a bit different, but we won't go away to Manchester City or Liverpool and set up to camp. We just won't do it.

"We have to accept sometimes we will get beaten, but then at other times we will have beautiful moments, games and results that people don't expect.

"Maybe we will surprise some people."

Southampton open up against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday, 17 August.

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We asked for your views on Southampton's 7-1 friendly win over Eastleigh on Friday.

Here are some of your responses:

Anthony: A decent win is always a good start - it does not matter who the opposition are. The goals still show they are doing things right. This season is going to be really tough so any joy early on is welcome.

Lucy: I can't believe the score. We weren't expecting a big win - we were only expecting a 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0 - but this was amazing.

Dan: Good run out for the lads and good to see the new players getting some minutes. Friendlies never amount to much but are great way to build confidence and connections ready for the new season.

Steven: Very nice, comfortable win. But don't forget, it is not about the pre-season, it is about getting them fit for the new campaign. That is all that matters.

Daz: No offence to Eastleigh, but they are not exactly Manchester City or Liverpool. Don't get me wrong, they did well to score seven goals, but the real test of how they are performing is when they start against Newcastle United.

Southampton recorded a big win over neighbours Eastleigh in a pre-season fixture, but what did you learn from this game?

Let us know your thoughts, external

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Southampton forward Adam Armstrong says he is "delighted" to sign a new contract with the club.

The 27-year-old has signed a three-year deal to extend his stay with the Saints until 2027.

Armstrong joined the club from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2021 and has gone on to make 119 appearances, scoring 29 goals.

He played a key role in their promotion winning campaign last season, with his 37 goal contributions - 24 goals and 13 assists - the highest tally of any player in England's top four divisions last term.

It was the England under-21 international's match-winning strike at Wembley in the Championship play-off final against Leeds United that secured the Saints' immediate return back to the Premier League.

Speaking to club media, Armstrong said: "It's amazing. Coming off last season, having that buzz, coming back into pre-season and getting started again brings back memories, so I'm delighted.

"I'm looking forward to it – back in the Premier League, it's the best league in the world. It's just about enjoying it and hopefully pushing on."

Southampton boss Russell Martin added: "Arma has been such a huge player for us since we came to the club last summer. As someone who had lived through the pain of the previous season, it was clear he had a fire in his eyes and a determination to put that right.

"Even looking beyond his amazing numbers in terms of goals and assists, his relentless desire to press the opposition and willingness to play in different positions, sacrificing himself for his teammates, are outstanding attributes that speak volumes for his character.

"I'm delighted we've been able to secure his future with us, and I have no doubts he will be just as important to us in the Premier League as he was in the Championship."

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It seems inevitable a host of Premier League managers will point to fixture congestion in the months to come.

When injuries mount, or when time on the training ground is squeezed, coaches often reference the intense nature of the calendar.

But research conducted by the respected CIES Football Observatory has delivered data which shows clubs are - on average - not playing more competitive games than they have in the last couple of decades.

The CIES looked at 677 clubs across 40 leagues. In looking at a period from 2012 to 2024, its findings show in 2023-24, the average club played 42.4 competitive matches. In 2014-15 that figure was 42.6 and in 2020-21 it hit 43.9.

And if focus is placed on sides competing in the Champions League, data gathered between 2000 and 2024 also shows sides are not setting fixture records in the current game, as some managers may like to loosely imply.

In looking at the five major European Leagues, the CIES claim Champions League competitors played an average of 50.8 matches last season.

In 2020-21 they averaged 57.9 and in 2002-03 they contested 55.2.

Manchester United played in 52 competitive games last season, down from highs of 71 in 2020-21 and 66 in 2008-09.

Across all of the clubs analysed, only 4% played more than 60 games last season. In 2012-13, the figure stood at 5.1%.

While clubs may play added friendlies and - it would be fair to say - individual matches tend to be longer given increased injury time in the current game, the data shows that competitive fixture numbers are flat or have in most cases fallen, even if disgruntled managers say otherwise.

The full study is here, external

Lyon are reportedly set to announce the signing of Southampton's 16-year-old forward Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez after the England Under-16 international signed a three-year deal. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

We asked for your views on Flynn Downes joining Southampton following his loan spell from West Ham last season.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Andy: The signing everyone wanted. He was fantastic last season and it was even more evident just how good he is when he wasn't in the team! West Ham's loss is very much our gain. I would like to see a strong goalkeeper and an experienced striker come in to replace Gavin Bazunu and Che Adams respectively, then we can sit back and be optimistic for a good season.

Laurie: A superb signing. He really shone last season and, even though he was on loan, it looked like he had been playing in the team for years. He is creative, able and I think he will grow into this Southampton team. A very welcome addition.

Mel: At last, the signing we all wanted. This is a good thing. Now we can forget about all of the old Saints that we are being linked with - such as Ings, Lallana, Adams. I thought I saw Ricky Lambert training at Marchwood the other day! We need to get a decent striker and a new goalkeeper signed up - we are going to need them.

Ian: I expect Kyle Walker-Peters to move to West Ham which means that apart from Stevens, Taylor and Bednarek, we have no proven Premier League quality in the squad. The players bought from Manchester City now have the chance to shine. Yukinari Sugawara could be a shrewd move and we need to keep Che Adams. Nonetheless, I think that if we get off to a good start, we could stay up.

James: Great signing. He was the anchor in midfield last season and we will be needing that this season. He doesn't need time to settle in and he will hit the ground running. He was the player I most wanted us to sign.

Lee: The best signing we have made in years. I can't believe we managed to get him and at a very good price too. He was pivotal in our promotion last season. I can't wait for the season to start now.

Dan George
BBC Sport

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New Southampton signing Flynn Downes revealed that life has been "carnage" as he waited to complete his move from West Ham to St Mary's.

The 25-year-old returned to the Hammers this summer for pre-season after enjoying a promotion campaign on loan at the Saints.

Southampton then confirmed the move for Downes on a four-year contract in a surprise announcement at their kit launch on Tuesday.

"It’s been carnage for the past few days to be honest - a lot of ups and downs,” Downes told BBC South Today, external.

"I’ve been sleeping on the floor at my parents' house. It'll be nice to get some normality back.

"You should see my wardrobe at the moment - it is so bad. Just a pile of clothes on the floor. It's not been ideal but it is just part of it."

The boyhood Irons fan joined West Ham from Swansea City in the summer of 2022 and played 35 times in claret and blue before joining Southampton.

"It was just about making sure I could play week in, week out," Downes added.

"I felt like at West Ham I wasn't going to get that so here was the right fit for me.

"All I had dreamed of was to play for West Ham - but things change. I had to be selfish about what's best for my career and I needed to make this step."

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Southampton have revealed their home and away kits for the new season, which they say both take inspiration from the city's naval history.

They are the first created for the Saints by new kit supplier Puma and feature a "razzle-dazzle design" which was first used on ships, including HMS Southampton.

The home kit has the traditional red and white stripes and the club said every shirt will feature a unique pattern in an attempt to avoid any wasted material.

It will be worn with black shorts and white socks with red detailing.

Southampton's away kit has the "subtle razzle-dazzle design" on the sleeves and front of the shirt in a "bright fizzy yellow and darker yellow sizzle".

The bold away option will be paired with navy shorts and yellow socks with navy detailing.

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Flynn Downes says it "feels so good" to have signed for Southampton after a "special" season-long loan spell in 2023-24.

The midfielder made 33 Championship appearances, scoring two goals and registering two assists, as the Saints returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Speaking to the club website, external, Downes said: "Being a part of it last year was so good. The whole club and the people - everything about it is so special.

“Now I feel like I can fully settle down here."

Southampton boss Russell Martin added: "We are thrilled to bring Flynn back. It was a big priority for us this summer and to get it done early in pre-season is also really important.

“He was such an influential player for us last season, both on and off the pitch. He is a brilliant character, aggressive and physical in his play, technically excellent with the ball, and a fantastic athlete too.

“I know how excited and hungry he is about making the step up to the Premier League with us. He is someone who I really believe is more than ready for that."

Southampton have completed the signing of Flynn Downes from West Ham on a four-year contract.

The midfielder made 37 appearances on loan at St Mary's last season, as Saints returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

What do you make of this signing, Southampton fans? Have your say here, external

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The football never stops.

Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.

The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.

So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?

Keep across all the fixtures and results here

Southampton have agreed a deal worth up to £18m to sign 25-year-old English midfielder Flynn Downes from West Ham United. (Standard - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Southampton have confirmed two pre-season friendlies against Lazio and Getafe as Russell Martin's side continue preparations for their return to the Premier League.

Two-time Italian champions Lazio will visit St Mary's on Wednesday, 7 August (19:30 BST) before Saints host Spanish side Getafe on Saturday, 10 August (14:00 BST) in their final match before opening their season with a trip to Newcastle the following weekend.

The fixtures complete Southampton's pre-season schedule of seven friendlies.

We asked for your views on Southampton signing right-back Yukinari Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar.

Here are some of your responses:

Les: Great signing. Love the Japanese players, they always give 100%.

Maximus: I appreciate that Saints need to strengthen their defence, it's always been an issue for them, but stopping the opposition from scoring is only half the story. They need to strengthen their attacking line, too. It may be in the pipeline, Saints are the masters of keeping everything quiet and then suddenly announcing a transfer. Let's hope so.

Steve: We continue to be a corner shop in the world of football. Buy cheap to sell dear. The owners appear to be focused on profit not performance. Last season we made around £83m on trading players. We have returned to the Premier League after one year in the Championship but we aren't building a squad to achieve anything.

Paul: Nice to see the new signings, but I'm hoping Russell Martin isn't planning on simply defending his way to Premier League survival. We absolutely need to lock in Flynn Downes and secure a proven goal scorer who can lead the line.

Richard: We desperately need to sign Flynn Downes and then some other players with proven Premier League experience. We've resorted to the old tactic of signing cheap, inexperienced players who might, with a bit of luck, prove to be a shock success at the highest level. We appear to be preparing for the following season back in the Championship.

Dan: Another solid signing. I’m very happy with how the transfers are going and we are finally getting the players needed in the right positions. Bring in Flynn Downes and a striker and it will be a very successful transfer window.

Image source, Getty Images

New Southampton defender Yukinari Sugawara has said the style of football played by Russell Martin's side was a key factor in his decision to join from AZ Alkmaar.

"Last summer, I played against Southampton in pre-season," said the 24-year-old Japan right-back, who has signed a four-year contract.

"They didn’t play long balls, only short passing, they played smart.

"When Southampton gave me an offer, I said yes after one second."

Martin added: "Yuki is a player we've watched for a long time and was our number one target in his position.

"He's a talented footballer with a great mentality, and a character we think will be really popular with his team-mates.

"You can sense his enthusiasm and determination to do well. He's really excited to play for Southampton, not just to play in the Premier League."

What you do make of the signing, Saints fans? And who should be targeted next? Have your say here, external

Lyon are close to signing Southampton's 16-year-old forward Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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Southampton are unlikely to continue their pursuit of Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons after the Cherries demanded £10m.

The Saints had a bid of about £6m rejected for the defender last week.

But they will now move on to other targets as they prepare for a return to the Premier League, which starts with a trip to Newcastle United on 17 August.

Southampton boss Russell Martin, who signed a new three-year contract along with his staff earlier this month, tried to bring in Aarons from Norwich City last year only for the 24-year-old to join the Cherries.